After reports of shortage of RoohAfza during the month of Ramzan created an alarm on social media, the rose-flavoured syrup is again in the limelight for being sold at almost five times its market price on Amazon.
The drink, which is usually available within a range of Rs 130-150 for a 750 ml bottle in markets, was being sold at Rs 1055 for two 800 ml bottles, that too after a discount of 25 percent, stating its original price to be Rs 1398.
The bottles were being sold at different prices on the e-commerce market place. A 750 ml bottle originally priced at Rs 799 on Amazon was being sold at Rs 649 by a seller named ‘Paradise Chocolates’.
Another pack of two 750 ml RoohAfza bottles priced at Rs 1099 on the e-commerce platform were being sold at Rs 999. Next to the stated original price, it said “Save Rs 100”.
Consumers Question High Prices
People on social media platform Twitter questioned the high prices of the drink.
Responding to the customer’s query, Amazon said that it would get the issue reviewed internally.
Some users anticipated the reason behind the higher price being the shortage of the drink. According to the manufacturer Hamdard, RoohAfza has been out of stock, both online and offline stores, for the past few months because of the unavailability of a key ingredient.
After reports emerged about the shortage of the drink, the Pakistani counterpart of Hamdard had offered to aid India during this crisis “if permitted by Indian government”.
MD and CEO of Pakistani Hamdard had tweeted that the neighbouring country is ready to supply the syrup to India if permitted.
Some people on Twitter speculated whether the higher price was because Amazon was possibly importing the drink from Pakistan.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)